System and method for funding a collective account by use of an electronic tag

ABSTRACT

A system and method for funding a collective account via aggregating usage of electronic tags is disclosed. The system and method promotes the use of electronic tags, and the funding of collective accounts that may be associated with charitable or other philanthropic causes. Further benefits may be realized by replenishing the prefunded account that serves as the source of funds for the electronic tag to an affinity account that also benefits the charitable or other philanthropic cause.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/927,462 filed on Aug. 13, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,453. Thecontents of the above-identified U.S. application are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to the funding of collective accountsthrough the use of electronic tags (“tag” or “tags”). More specifically,the invention relates to systems and methods for funding a collectiveaccount that may be used for a variety of purposes, such as makingcharitable contributions or otherwise contributing to causes, based ontag usage and the “float” of a prefunded account associated with a tag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic tags are used today to conduct various financialtransactions. For instance, the Mobil® division of ExxonMobilCorporation sponsors a program called SPEEDPASS® whereby a customer canpurchase gas and other goods and services by activating a system with atag containing a transponder, where the tag is associated with somesource of the customer's funds which are used to pay for the purchase.The tag may be kept on a keyring, and is waved in front of a detector toactivate the system.

Another popular, rapidly growing use of electronic tags is in ElectronicToll Collection (“ETC”) systems including E-Z PASS,® GEORGIA CRUISECARD,® SUNPASS,® EPASS,® and FASTRAK,® among others, which allow amotorist to electronically charge a toll for using certain roadwayswithout having to physically stop at a tollbooth to pay the toll. ETCsystems are a part of the technology known as Intelligent TransportationSystems (“ITS”) fostered by the Intelligent Transportation Society ofAmerica (“ITSA”), a society composed of private and public members whichwas mandated by the United States Congress in the Intermodal SurfaceTransportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (“ISTEA”) to coordinate thedevelopment and deployment of intelligent transportation systems in theUnited States. ETC systems enhance the safety, capacity, and efficiencyof the tollway systems in this country, as well as improve customerservice and satisfaction. In addition, ETC systems improve air qualityby reducing the number of vehicles which sit at idle speed attollbooths.

The users of these tags generally associate a prefunded account to serveas a source of funds to pay for charges made with their tags, where theprefunded account balance is referred to as the “float.” These prefundedaccounts are maintained by the ETC system operator, who invests theaccount balances and makes a profit off this “float.” The user mayautomatically replenish the prefunded account by instructing the systemto charge additional “float” to an individual checking, savings, orcredit card account or other source of funds that is associated with thetag when the prefunded account balance reaches a low limit, or the usermay manually replenish the prefunded account balance.

ETC systems operate by detecting some tag identification informationassociated with the tag using some type of sensor as the motorist passesthrough a tollbooth or otherwise activates the sensor and determiningwhich prefunded account is associated with that tag. Tag identificationinformation may be contained in bar coded labels, which are placed onthe vehicle and detected by laser scanners at the tollbooth.Alternatively, tag identification information may be transmitted via anRF or IR or other type of transponder located in the tag, where theemitted signal is read by a reader/antenna located at the tollbooth.Often the tags are intended to be attached to the motorist's frontwindshield or side window by some type of adhesive, and are, for themost part, contained in generic plastic casings which many considerunattractive to display.

When the tag identification information is detected by a scanner orreader/antenna at a tollbooth, the prefunded account associated withthat tag is debited the amount of the corresponding toll or charge.Annual toll revenues for the nation's toll roads which use ETC systemseasily exceed one billion dollars a year,¹ so enrollment of users in thenation's ETC systems contemplates a significant “float” potentially tobe held by ETC systems operators. ¹ According to data compiled duringthe years of 1996 through 1999 by the ETTM, a component of theIntelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). See www.ettm.com/usafac.html.

Some potential ETC users currently do not enroll in the systems becausethey do not want to leave their money in the prefunded account wherethey lose the use of the account balance, and where they are committedto spending the prefunded account balance with the ETC system operator.Further, as noted, the tags currently used are considered plain andunattractive, which may lead some motorists not to mount the tags ontheir windshields, creating a safety hazard as those motorists fumble tofind the tag to pay the toll.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The method and system of the invention overcomes these problems of theprior art, and adds an incentive for potential users to sign up for andto use ETC tag systems. As well, the invention provides ETC systemsoperators an incentive to make charitable and other contributions basedon the users' tag usage and “float.”

It is feature of the invention to provide a method and system forfunding a collective account with a reward based either on aggregate tagusage of a plurality of tags associated with that collective account oron the aggregate of prefunded account balances for a plurality ofprefunded accounts associated with the collective account.

It is another feature of the invention to provide an incentive forpotential users of electronic tag systems to open and prefund accountswith electronic tag system operators.

It is yet another feature of the invention to facilitate a method forelectronic tag systems operators to make charitable and other financialcontributions.

It is yet another feature of the invention to provide an electronic tagthat will increase public awareness of charitable or other political oreducational causes.

It is yet another feature of the invention to facilitate the earning ofrewards in a loyalty program sponsored by or otherwise associated with afor-profit or retail program, where the tag is associated with anindividual account that is associated with the loyalty program.

It is another feature of the invention to provide an additional benefitto holders of collective accounts by prefunding accounts with individualaccounts that are associated with and benefit the holders of thecollective accounts through affinity programs.

It is another feature of the invention to encourage use of ETC systemsby motorists and thereby benefiting the environment.

It is yet another feature of the invention to increase safety at tollbooths by providing an electronic tag that motorists will want toinstall on their windshields.

One aspect of the invention relates to a method and system for funding acollective account comprising a plurality of tags and prefunded accountsassociated with those tags, associating the tags or the “float” of theprefunded accounts to the collective account, aggregating either the tagusage or the prefunded account balances, calculating a reward based onthe aggregate tag usage or prefunded account balances, and funding thereward to the collective account. The funds in the collective accountmay be used for a variety of purposes, such as making charitablecontributions, funding political campaigns, or making contributions toreligious or civic groups or educational institutions.

Another aspect of the invention relates to decorating a tag with asymbol, name, or color scheme of the target organization. Not only doessuch decoration increase public awareness of the tagholder's chosencause, but it also increases the likelihood that the user (if amotorist) installs the tag on the windshield of the vehicle whichincreases highway safety by reducing motorist distraction as he or shefumbles to locate the tag as he or she approaches the toll booth.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method and system forassociating a prefunded account for a tag with an individual accountthat is itself associated with a loyalty program, and increasing creditsin the loyalty program through use of the electronic tag. These loyaltyprogram credits may inure to the benefit of the tagholder, as forexample where the individual account amasses cash bonuses or frequentflyer miles upon individual account usage. Alternatively, the loyaltyprogram benefits may inure to a charitable or other organization, aswhere the individual account is an affinity account that makes acontribution to a chosen card based on individual account usage.Further, an organization that is the beneficiary of both an affinityprogram associated with an individual account associated with a tag andis also the holder of a collective account associated with the same tagmay receive double benefits from tag usage.

As used in this specification, the terms “tag” and “tags” refer to anyknown or later developed device or object, associated in some manner toa source of funds, that may be used to activate a system forautomatically making purchases of goods or services and charge thepurchase of those goods or services to the associated source of funds.The associated source of funds may itself be a prefunded account, andmay also be associated with at least one other source of funds, as anindividual account, to replenish the prefunded account balance.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe description of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with thefollowing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which like elements are referenced with like numerals.

FIG. 1 is a schematic of one embodiment of the invention illustrating aplurality of tags each associated with an individual account, aprefunded account, and a collective account.

FIG. 2 is a flowscheme of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowscheme of an alternative embodiment of the invention

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a computer-based system for funding acollective account.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a method and system for funding acollective account through the use of electronic tags, or throughprofits made off the “float” of the prefunded accounts associated withthose tags. One embodiment of the invention may comprise associatingeach of a plurality of tags to a prefunded account and a collectiveaccount, or alternatively associating the prefunded account directly tothe collective account. The invention further comprises aggregating tagusage for all associated tags in the collective account. A reward may becalculated based on the aggregate tag usage for all tags associated withthe collective account and the reward credited to the collectiveaccount, thus providing an incentive for tagholders to increase theiruse of ETC systems. The above steps can be accomplished in real time oron a periodic basis. The funds in the collective account may be used fora variety of purposes as, for example, funding of charitable, religious,political, or educational institutions. Individual tagholders may bemembers of the organization that is the holder of the collectiveaccount.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the reward to thecollective account may be calculated based on the aggregate prefundedaccount balances for all prefunded accounts associated with thecollective account, thus providing an incentive for tagholders toincrease the “float” amounts kept in their prefunded accounts.

In another embodiment of the invention, the system operator mayestablish a number of collective accounts and designate each collectiveaccount for a particular purpose as an environmental purpose, charitablepurpose, etc. Tagholders may associate all or a portion of theirprefunded accounts and/or tag usage to one or more collective accounts.In this embodiment, it is not necessary that tagholders be members ofany organization that is the holder of the collective account, and asingle tagholder may associate his or her prefunded account and/or tagusage in percentages to multiple collective accounts.

Tagholders may be issued periodic reporting statements detailing thecontributions made in relation to the association of their prefundedaccounts and/or tags to collective accounts.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a computer-based systemfor funding a collective account, wherein a tag is associated withprefunded and collective accounts. The system may include a hostcomputer capable of programmed response and software capable ofmonitoring individual tag usage or prefunded account balances,aggregating tag usage or prefunded account balances, and calculating abonus based on the aggregate tag usage or prefunded account balances ofall prefunded accounts associated with a particular collective account.The computer may perform other functions as generating statements of theprefunded accounts to the tagholders and statements of the collectiveaccount to the holder of the collective account, and may also be capableof automatically initiating a funds transfer from an individual accountassociated with the tag and/or prefunded account to replenish theprefunded account based upon predetermined conditions, such as lowprefunded account balance. In addition, a plurality of remote computersmay be networked or otherwise capable of communicating with the hostcomputer, where the remote computers are associated with reader/antennasat tollbooths or other sites where a tag may be used to purchase a goodor service. The reader/antennas may be capable of detecting tagidentification information and transmitting the tag identificationinformation along with the charge to the remote computers, which canthen transmit the information to the host computer to charge theassociated prefunded account for that tag. Alternatively, remotecomputers may access the host computer for tag identificationinformation, and identify the prefunded account before transmission ofthe charge information to the host computer.

In another embodiment of the invention, the tag and prefunded accountmay be associated with an individual account used as a source of fundsto replenish the prefunded account based on fulfillment of predeterminedconditions, as for example a predetermined low balance amount in theprefunded account. The individual account may be an affinity account,where an organization receives a benefit from use of the individualaccount. If the affinity organization is also the holder of thecollective account, that organization can realize a double benefit froma tagholder's use of the tag—both from the affinity program when theindividual account is used to fund the prefunded account, and again whenthe reward is calculated and awarded based on tag usage. In otherembodiments, the individual account may be associated with a loyaltyprogram, where benefits accrue directly to the tagholder upon use of theindividual account. In this scenario, increased tag usage benefits theholder of the collective account, and also causes increased needs toreplenish the prefunded account, which then benefits the tagholderdirectly by increased loyalty program credits.

The presence of an LED and/or LCD readout in the tag allows the user toview such information as remaining balance in his or her prefundedaccount or to receive and/or view messages transmitted from thereader/antenna. The tag may also have the ability to generate a soundthat indicates a successful detection by the reader/antenna or a lowprefunded account balance which might be a theme song associated withthe holder of the collective account, as for example the fight song of aselected university. The tag may have a communication port to allow itto communicate with other devices, as for example relaying trafficinformation received from the reader/antenna to a device capable ofreading and mapping out the relayed information within a vehicle or someremote or hard wired device.

The holder of the collective account can be an organization comprising aplurality of members. However, the tagholders are not necessarilymembers of the holder of the collective account, as the tagholders maydesignate different causes to receive the reward. The collective accountmay also comprise one or more sub-accounts, where each sub-account isdesignated for a different purpose.

The reward may be calculated in a number of ways. For example, thereward may be based on aggregate tag usage or aggregate “float” of theprefunded account balances associated with the collective accountcalculated over some period of time. Alternatively, the reward may becustomized by basing it on a comparison of aggregate tag usage oraggregate “float” of the prefunded account balances during a givenperiod to historic performance, where increased performance in the givenperiod results in a proportionately greater reward. Alternatively, aminimum performance standard may be set to achieve any reward to becredited to the collective account.

Although the invention is described in terms of electronic tagsassociated with prefunded accounts, collective accounts, and individualaccounts, this description is not intended to limit the invention but israther one embodiment as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic of one embodiment of the inventionis detailed for funding a collective account 100 such as a charitablecontribution account. The invention comprises a plurality of tags 105 ₁through 105 _(n), each tag associated with at least one prefundedaccount 110 ₁ through 110 _(n). Also, each tag may be associated with acollective account 100, as selected by the tagholder. Alternatively,each prefunded account 110 _(n) may be associated directly with thecollective account 100, or each tag 105 _(n) may be associated withmultiple collective accounts (not shown). The invention furthercomprises aggregating the tag usage for at least some of the tagsassociated with the collective account 100, calculating a reward basedon the aggregate tag usage, and funding the collective account 100 withthe calculated reward. Alternatively, for tags associated with multiplecollective accounts, the tagholder may select the percentage of tagusage to be associated with each collective account. In otherembodiments, account balances of prefunded accounts 110 ₁ through 110_(n) may be aggregated for purposes of calculating the reward. The tagsand prefunded accounts may also be associated with individual accounts115 ₁ through 115 _(n), which may be used as a source of funds toreplenish the prefunded accounts 110 ₁ through 110 _(n) upon fulfillmentof a predetermined condition, as a low prefunded account balance.

A flowscheme of one embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 2. At200, each tag is associated with some tag identification information,which could be detected in various manners as IR or RF transmissions orbar code scanners. At 210, each tag is associated with a prefundedaccount within the ETC system as well as at least one collectiveaccount. When the tag identification information is detected by areader/antenna during tag usage at 220, it is used by the ETC system toidentify the specific tag and associated prefunded account. The detectorcould detect signals emitted by a transponder located in the electronictag, as RF or IF signals, or alternatively the tag may comprise a barcode which is detectable by a sensor. Regardless of the form ofdetection, the ETC system debits the prefunded account associated withthe identified tag for the amount of the toll or purchase. Tag usage, orportion of tag usage, can be aggregated for each tag associated with thecollective account at 230. At 240, a bonus or reward can be calculatedbased on aggregate tag usage for a collective account, which is creditedto the collective account at 250.

A flowscheme of an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown inFIG. 3. At 300, each tag is associated with some tag identificationinformation, which could be detected in various manners as IR or RFtransmissions or bar code scanners. At 310, each tag is associated witha prefunded account within the ETC system as well as at least onecollective account. When the tag identification information is detectedby a reader/antenna during tag usage at 320, it is used by the ETCsystem to identify the specific tag and associated prefunded account.The detector could detect signals emitted by a transponder located inthe electronic tag, as RF or IF signals, or alternatively the tag maycomprise a bar code which is detectable by a sensor. Regardless of theform of detection, the ETC system debits the prefunded accountassociated with the identified tag for the amount of the toll orpurchase. On some periodic basis, prefunded account balances can beaggregated for each prefunded account associated directly with, orindirectly through a tag with, the collective account at 330. At 340, abonus or reward can be calculated based on aggregate prefunded accountbalances for a collective account, which is credited to the collectiveaccount at 350.

Referring to FIG. 4, one embodiment of a computer-based system forfunding a collective account is described. The ETC system may have ahost computer 400, a plurality of remote computers 410 ₁ through 410_(n), and a plurality of reader/antennas 420 ₁ through 420 _(n)associated with remote computers 410 ₁ through 410 _(n). The hostcomputer has a processor 460 capable of programmed response, and alsohas a storage unit 470, which may comprise a hard drive or othermagnetic, solid state or other storage media, for storing applications,data, operating system and other information.

Upon or anytime after tagholder enrollment with the ETC, searchableindexed computer files 430 ₁ through 430 _(n), are created by the hostcomputer processor 460 for each enrolled tagholder and stored in thehost computer storage 470. The files 430 ₁ through 430 _(n) may containsuch information as an individual tagholder's name, address, tagidentification information, prefunded account information, tag usage,and selected collective account(s). The files 430 ₁ through 430 _(n) mayalso contain information identifying individual accounts that may beused to replenish the prefunded account balances. Each account can beindexed by the tag identification information, name, and selectedcollective account. Also, files 480 ₁ through 480 _(n) may be created byprocessor 460 and stored in storage 470 containing information for aplurality of collective accounts.

A plurality of readers/antenna 420 ₁ through 420 _(n) may be located atremote locations from the host computer 400 at the sights where thetagholders use the tags to purchase goods or services. The tag cantransmit or is otherwise detectable to provide the tag identificationinformation. Each reader/antenna 420 _(n) may be associated with andcapable of communicating with a remote computer 410 _(n), where eachremote computer is capable of communicating with and transmittinginformation to and receiving information from the host computer 400. Inaddition, each local computer 410 _(n) may also have a processor capableof programmable response and storage capability.

When a tag is detected by the reader/antenna 420 _(n) for a purchase ofa good or a service, tag identification information can be recorded inthe local computer 410 _(n) along with the amount of the charge. Eitherin real time or on a periodic basis, the local computer 410 _(n) cancommunicate with the host computer 400 and transmit the detected tagidentification information along with the associated charge amount.Using the tag identification information, the host computer 400 canaccess the file 430 _(n) indexed by that tag identification information,and debit the prefunded account associated with that file for the chargeamount.

Either in real time or on a periodic basis, the processor 460 of thehost computer 400 can access all tags and/or prefunded accounts that areassociated with a certain collective account 480 _(n) and eitheraggregate the total tag usage or the “float” of the prefunded accountbalances for the prefunded accounts associated with that collectiveaccount. A reward can be calculated based on these aggregates, and theprocessor 460 can initiate a funds transfer in an amount equal to thereward to the collective account 480 _(n).

The foregoing embodiments have been presented for the purpose ofillustration and description only and are not to be construed aslimiting the scope of the invention in any way. The scope of theinvention is to be determined from the claims appended hereto.

1. A method for distributing a reward, comprising: associating an RFIDtag with an individual account, a financial institution and at least oneorganization, wherein the tagholder is the holder of the individualaccount, wherein further the financial institution comprises one or morehost computers, wherein further the host computer aggregates RFID tagusage and calculates a first reward based on aggregate RFID tag usage,wherein RFID tag usage comprises aggregating purchase amounts forpurchases of at least one of goods or services from a plurality ofmerchants when the RFID tag is presented to the merchant at time ofpurchase; attributing the first reward to the individual account;attributing a second reward to a collective account associated with theat least one organization, wherein the organization comprises a businessorganization, a trade organization, a political party, a religiousorganization, an athletic organization, a professional society, aneducational organization, a charitable organization, a fund-raisingorganization, or a governmental organization, or combinations thereof;and distributing the first reward to the tagholder.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the business organization comprises a retailorganization, a wholesale sales club, an airline or a politicalorganization.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the politicalorganization has income that is exempt from taxation in part or in wholeby one or more of a federal, state or local governmental body.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the trade organization comprises a laborunion.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the religious organizationcomprises a church or a Jewish congregation.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the athletic association comprises a professional sportsassociation, a professional sports team, a collegiate sportsassociation, a collegiate sports team, an amateur sports association, anamateur sports team, an international sports competition or a sportsassociation or team associated with one or both of the United StatesOlympic Committee® or the International Olympic Committee®.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, wherein the athletic association further comprises ateam or league for the sport of one of baseball, soccer, hockey,football, basketball, golf, volleyball, swimming, diving, bowling,wrestling, boxing, martial arts, softball, gymnastics, ice skating, carracing, truck racing, motorcycle racing, snow skiing, snow boarding,water skiing, wakeboarding, horse racing, rowing, bicycling, archery,runmng, weight lifting, jai alai, lacrosse, rugby, cricket or billiards.8. The method of claim 1, wherein the professional society comprises aprofessional licensing entity.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein theeducational organization comprises a university, a community college, ajunior college, a high school, a middle school, an adult educationorganization, a college, an institute, an academy or an alumniassociation.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the charitableorganization comprises a not-for-profit charitable organization whoseincome is exempt from taxation in part or in whole by one or more of afederal, state or local governmental body.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein the governmental organization comprises an agency or departmentof a state, a commonwealth, a precinct, a township, a county, a city, aparish, a borough or a federal government.
 12. The method of claim 1,wherein the financial institution comprises a national bankingassociation, a savings and loan association, a savings society, a creditunion, a building society, a savings club, a mutual fund, a brokeragehouse or an equities fund.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the goodscomprise vehicles, clothing, concert tickets, airline tickets, sportsevent tickets, play tickets, groceries, sundries, pharmaceuticalproducts, machinery, tools, building products, hardware, fuel or anycombination thereof.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the servicescomprise spa services, vehicle repair services, home repair services,construction services, restaurant services, home maintenance services,vehicle maintenance services, grooming services, medical services, petcare services, transportation services or any combination thereof. 15.The method of claim 1, further comprising: associating the RFID tag withat least one prefunded account, wherein the prefunded account has abalance; maintaining at least one of the prefunded accounts; anddebiting the balance of at least one of the prefunded accounts in anamount related to RFID tag usage.
 16. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising replenishing the prefunded account balance with funds fromthe individual account associated with the RFID tag upon fulfillment ofsome predetermined condition.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein theindividual account is associated with at least one loyalty program,wherein further the tagholder earns a third reward based on thetagholder's participation in the loyalty program.
 18. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the second reward is calculated based on aggregate RFIDtag usage.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag is brandedwith a symbol, name, colors or combinations thereof generally associatedwith the at least one organization.
 20. The method of claim 19, whereinthe symbol comprises a logo, a trademark, a service mark, a trade name,a mascot, an emblem, an insignia, a monogram, initials or combinationsthereof.
 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the symbol, name, colors orcombinations thereof are displayed upon satisfaction of a predeterminedcondition.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the predeterminedcondition comprises a purchase amount, a purchase location, frequency ofpurchases or cumulative amount of purchases.
 23. The method of claim 19,wherein the symbol, name, colors or combinations thereof comprise amedia event.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the media eventcomprises a visual media event, an audio media event, a physical mediaevent or combinations thereof.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein thephysical media event comprises vibration.
 26. The method of claim 24,wherein the visual media event is selected in advance by the RFIDtagholder.
 27. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag comprises asound generating device.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the soundgenerating device generates a programmed sound generally associated withthe organization.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the programmedsound comprises a fight song, a tagline or a signature song.
 30. Themethod of claim 1, wherein one or both of the first and second rewardscomprise cash, airline miles, reward points, services, goods, rebates,up front payments, statement credit, discounts, interest or combinationsthereof.
 31. The method of claim 1, wherein the tagholder selects theorganization.
 32. The method of claim 1, wherein the tagholder earns afourth reward from the issuer of the individual account based onindividual account usage.
 33. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFIDtag comprises an LED controllable via the tagholder.
 34. The method ofclaim 33, wherein the LED comprises a display responsive to temperature.35. The method of claim 33, wherein the LED comprises a media event. 36.The method of claim 35, wherein the media event comprises a visual mediaevent, an audio media event, a physical media event or combinationsthereof.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the physical media eventcomprises vibration.
 38. The method of claim 36, wherein the visualmedia event is selected in advance by the RFID tagholder.
 39. The methodof claim 33, wherein the LED display comprises a barcode.
 40. The methodof claim 1, wherein the RFID tag comprises an LCD controllable via thetagholder.
 41. The method of claim 40, wherein the LCD comprises adisplay responsive to temperature.
 42. The method of claim 40, whereinthe LCD comprises a media event.
 43. The method of claim 42, wherein themedia event comprises a visual media event, an audio media event, aphysical media event or combinations thereof.
 44. The method of claim43, wherein the physical media event comprises vibration.
 45. The methodof claim 43, wherein the visual media event is selected in advance bythe RFID tagholder.
 46. The method of claim 40, wherein the LCD displaycomprises a barcode.
 47. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID tagcomprises at least one communication port allowing the tag tocommunicate with other devices.
 48. The method of claim 1, wherein theRFID tag comprises a microprocessor.
 49. The method of claim 1, whereinthe RFID tag comprises a transmitter.
 50. The method of claim 1, whereinthe RFID tag further comprises at least one of a smart card, a plasticcard, a bar coded sticker, a transponder readable by a reader/antenna,or combinations thereof.
 51. The method of claim 50, wherein the RFIDtag operates in half duplex mode.
 52. The method of claim 51, whereinthe RFID tag operates in full duplex mode.
 53. The method of claim 1,wherein the individual account comprises a credit account, a debitaccount, a stored value account, a home equity line of credit account, amutual fund account, a money market account, a savings account, achecking account, a nonchecking deposit account, a telephone cardaccount, a rewards account, a special premises account for use byemployees of an entity or a margin account.
 54. The method of claim 1,wherein the first reward is distributed substantially contemporaneouslyat the time of purchase.
 55. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstreward is distributed upon demand by the tagholder to the financialinstitution.
 56. The method of claim 55, wherein the tagholder makes thedemand substantially upon association of the RFID tag with theindividual account.
 57. The method of claim 56, wherein the demandcomprises automatic distribution of the first reward to the individualaccount substantially upon RFID tag usage.
 58. The method of claim 56,wherein the demand comprises automatic periodical distribution of thefirst reward to the individual account.
 59. The method of claim 1,wherein the RFID tag is embedded in a key, a fob, a token, a pager, awatch, a PDA, a cellular phone, clothing or a plastic card.
 60. Themethod of claim 59, wherein the token or fob is attached to a keychain.61. The method of claim 1, wherein the merchant comprises a retailer, agrocer, a restaurateur, a service provider or any combination thereof.62. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag is physically presentedto the merchant at a point of sale device.
 63. The method of claim 1,wherein the RFID tag is presented to the merchant over a network. 64.The method of claim 63, wherein the network comprises a LAN, a WAN orEthernet.
 65. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag is presentedto the merchant over a telephone connection.
 66. An automated,computer-based method for distributing rewards to an individual accountand a collective account comprising: maintaining a prefunded firstaccount that is associated with an RFID tag, wherein the prefunded firstaccount has an account balance, wherein further the RFID tag isassociated with the tagholder, a financial institution and at least oneorganization, wherein further the financial institution comprises one ormore host computers, wherein further the host computer aggregates RFIDtag usage and calculates a first reward based on aggregate RFID tagusage, wherein RFID tag usage comprises funding purchases for at leastone of goods or services from a plurality of merchants with theprefunded account when the RFID tag is presented to the merchant at timeof payment for the purchases; associating the prefunded first accountwith a second account; attributing the first reward to the secondaccount; attributing a second reward to a collective account associatedwith the at least one organization, wherein the organization comprises abusiness organization, a trade organization, a political party, areligious organization, an athletic organization, a professionalsociety, an educational organization, a charitable organization, afund-raising organization, or a governmental organization, orcombinations thereof; and distributing the first reward to thetagholder.
 67. The method of claim 66, wherein the second reward iscalculated based on aggregate RFID tag usage.
 68. The method of claim66, wherein the RFID tag is branded with a symbol, name and/or colorsgenerally associated with the at least one organization.
 69. The methodof claim 66, wherein the RFID tag comprises a sound generating device.70. The method of claim 69, wherein the sound generating devicegenerates a programmed sound generally associated with the organization.71. The method of claim 66, wherein one or both of the first and secondrewards comprise cash, airline miles, reward points, services, goods,rebates, up front payments, statement credit, discounts or combinationsthereof.
 72. The method of claim 66, wherein the tagholder selects theorganization.
 73. The method of claim 66, wherein the tagholder earns athird reward from the issuer of the second account based on secondaccount usage.
 74. The method of claim 66, wherein the RFID tagcomprises an LED controllable via the tagholder.
 75. The method of claim66, wherein the RFID tag comprises an LCD controllable via thetagholder.
 76. The method of claim 66, wherein the tag comprises atleast one communication port allowing the RFID tag to communicate withother devices.
 77. The method of claim 66, wherein the RFID tagcomprises a microprocessor.
 78. The method of claim 66, wherein the RFIDtag comprises a transmitter.
 79. The method of claim 66, wherein theRFID tag further comprises at least one of a smart card, a plastic card,a bar coded sticker, a transponder readable by a reader/antenna, orcombinations thereof.
 80. The method of claim 79, wherein the RFID tagoperates in half duplex mode.
 81. The method of claim 79, wherein theRFID tag operates in full duplex mode.